Clara Burel
Clara Burel (born 24 March 2001) is a French professional tennis player who competes on the WTA Tour. Right-handed and standing at 1.76 meters tall, she achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 42 on 10 June 2024 and won her first WTA 125 title at the 2023 Open Angers. As of 17 November 2025, she holds a singles ranking of No. 653 with a year-to-date record of 3 wins and 1 loss.[1][2][3] Burel was born in Rennes, France, to parents Vincent and Stephanie, and began playing tennis at age 6. She rose to prominence in juniors, reaching world No. 1 on 29 October 2018, and finishing as runner-up in the girls' singles at the 2018 Australian Open and US Open. At the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, she earned a silver medal in singles. Her junior success transitioned to the professional circuit, where she made her WTA debut in 2018 and claimed her first ITF title later that year.[1] On the professional tour, Burel has reached the third round at major Grand Slams, including the 2020 French Open, and the 2022 and 2023 US Open. She was runner-up at the WTA 250 events in Lausanne in both 2021 and 2023, and advanced to the third round of the 2024 Australian Open, her best result at that tournament. In 2025, she reached the semifinals of the Megasaray Hotels Open, a WTA 125 event in Antalya, but retired injured in the Billie Jean King Cup in April due to a serious knee injury, and has not competed since.[1][4][5][6] Primarily a singles player, Burel has also competed in doubles, with a career-high ranking of No. 246. Coached by Victor Prezelin since 2019, she favors hard courts and lists her forehand as her preferred shot.[1]Early life
Birth and family
Clara Burel was born on 24 March 2001 in Rennes, Brittany, France.[1][7] She is the daughter of Vincent Burel and Stephanie Burel, and has two younger sisters, Lola and Jade.[1] The family has resided in France and provided strong support for her early involvement in tennis, which began at age six.[1][8] Little public information is available regarding the professional backgrounds of her parents, though they have been instrumental in fostering her athletic development.[9]Introduction to tennis and junior development
Clara Burel, born in Rennes, France, was introduced to tennis at the age of six in Louannec, a small coastal town in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany where she grew up.[10] She began playing at the local Tennis Club de Louannec, quickly developing a passion for the sport that her family supported throughout her early years.[11] By age 12, Burel had already achieved significant success, winning the French national championship in her age category, which marked her as a promising talent in French tennis circles.[12] At around 14 years old, Burel left her family home in Brittany to join the Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et du Performance (INSEP) in Paris, the prestigious French national training center for elite athletes. This move represented a major transition, involving separation from her parents, Vincent and Stephanie, and younger sisters, Lola and Jade, but it allowed her to train intensively with top coaches and peers.[13] Under the guidance of coaches including Thierry Champion, director of high performance at the French Tennis Federation (FFT), Burel honed her skills, focusing on technical and physical development to compete internationally.[14] Her right-handed game, characterized by a powerful forehand—her favorite shot—began to take shape during this period.[1] Burel's junior development accelerated in her mid-teens, leading to a series of high-profile achievements. She reached the final of the 2017 Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championship and followed with runner-up finishes at the 2018 Australian Open and US Open junior tournaments.[1] That year, she also secured a silver medal in singles and a bronze in mixed doubles (with Hugo Gaston) at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. In October 2018, Burel won the ITF Junior Masters in Chengdu, China, her first major junior title, which propelled her to the world No. 1 junior ranking the following week.[1] Selected as an alternate for the French Fed Cup team in 2018, she gained early exposure to senior-level competition, setting the stage for her professional transition despite a wrist injury in 2019 that required surgery and sidelined her for several months.[1]Professional career
Junior career
Clara Burel emerged as one of the top junior tennis players in 2018, reaching the girls' singles final at the Australian Open, where she lost to Liang En-shuo of Chinese Taipei 6–3, 6–4.[15] Later that year, she advanced to the US Open junior final, falling to Wang Xiyu of China 7–6(4), 6–2, after defeating notable opponents including Emma Raducanu in the quarterfinals.[16] These performances marked her as a strong contender in junior Grand Slams, contributing to her overall junior singles record of 32 wins and 9 losses.[17] Burel also secured a silver medal in girls' singles at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, losing the final to Kaja Juvan of Slovenia 7–5, 6–4.[18] Following a series of runner-up finishes earlier in the year, she claimed her first major junior title at the 2018 ITF Junior Masters in Chengdu, defeating Maria Camila Osorio Serrano of Colombia 7–6(6), 6–1 in the final.[19] This victory propelled her to the world No. 1 junior ranking the following week, on October 29, 2018, a position she held at the end of the year.[17] In 2019, Burel continued competing at a high level despite a wrist injury that forced her withdrawal from the Roland Garros junior event, where she was seeded No. 3.[20] She finished third at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu, marking a solid conclusion to her junior career before transitioning to the professional circuit.[21] Her accomplishments included two Grand Slam finals and the Junior Masters title, highlighting her aggressive baseline game and competitive prowess on various surfaces.[1]2018: Transition to professional circuit and first ITF final
In 2018, Clara Burel transitioned to the professional circuit following a standout junior season, which included reaching the girls' singles final at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she lost to Liang En-shuo. This performance earned her a spot as an alternate on the French Billie Jean King Cup team for their first-round tie against Belgium in February, marking an early nod to her emerging professional potential despite her primary focus remaining on junior events.[1][22] Burel made her professional debut in April at the $25,000 ITF Women's Circuit tournament in Saint-Malo, France, entering the qualifying draw but failing to advance to the main draw. Later that year, in May, she competed in the qualifying rounds for the French Open, Roland Garros, but did not qualify for the main event. These initial forays highlighted her adjustment to professional-level competition, where she faced more experienced players on the ITF circuit.[1] Burel's most significant achievement of the year came in September at the $25,000 ITF tournament in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where she received a wildcard into the main draw and reached her first professional final. She progressed through the draw with straight-set victories, including a 6-0, 6-4 win over compatriot Margot Yerolymos in the first round and a 6-1, 6-3 semifinal triumph over Myrtille Georges. In the final, she challenged Lesley Kerkhove of the Netherlands but fell short, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after taking a set. This runner-up finish represented the highlight of Burel's debut professional season and boosted her ranking to No. 612 by year-end.[1][23]2019: Grand Slam debut
Burel began her professional season in January 2019 with a wildcard entry into the main draw of the Australian Open, marking her Grand Slam debut.[1] Ranked outside the top 500 at the time, she faced world No. 23 Carla Suárez Navarro in the first round and lost in straight sets, 5–7, 2–6, after a competitive opening set.[24] This appearance highlighted her transition from the junior circuit, where she had achieved world No. 1 status in 2018, to senior-level competition.[1] Following the Australian Open, Burel competed in select ITF events to build experience. In late January, she entered the $25,000 ITF tournament in Andrézieux-Boutheon, France, defeating Katie Dunne 6–3, 6–2 in the first round before falling to Maryna Zanevska's replacement, Myrtille Georges, 3–6, 1–6 in the round of 16.[24] Her next outing was a qualifying loss in April at the $15,000 ITF event in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy, where she was defeated 3–6, 2–6 by Corinna Dentoni in the first qualifying round.[24] In May 2019, Burel underwent wrist surgery, which sidelined her for much of the year and interrupted her momentum.[25] Despite the setback, she returned to competition in November at the $15,000 ITF tournament in Monastir, Tunisia. There, she advanced to her first professional final, defeating Eléonora Molinaro (replacing Ekaterina Vanlangendonck), Cristina-Adriana Tiglea, Juline Fayard, and Justina Mikulskytė en route, before losing to Carole Monnet 2–6, 0–6 in the championship match.[1][24] This runner-up finish represented her strongest result of the season and earned her initial ITF points. Burel closed the year in December with a first-round loss at the $100,000 ITF event in Limoges, France, falling 3–6, 2–6 to Greet Minnen.[24] Overall, her 2019 campaign yielded a 5–5 win-loss record on the professional circuit, primarily on hard courts, as she focused on recovery and adaptation amid limited play.[24]2020: French Open debut and third round
Burel began the 2020 season ranked No. 212 in the WTA singles rankings, competing primarily on the ITF Women's Circuit. She reached the quarterfinals of the $25k event in Le Havre, France, in February, defeating compatriot Elsa Jacquemot in the second round before losing to eventual champion Tamara Zidanšek. Later that month, she advanced to the semifinals of the $25k tournament in Saint-Malo, France, where she fell to compatriot Diane Parry. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a suspension of the WTA Tour from March to July, resuming with a condensed schedule. Burel made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2020 French Open as a wildcard entrant, held from September 27 to October 11 at Roland Garros. In the first round, she upset No. 22 seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, marking her first victory over a top-30 player and her first main draw win at a major. In the second round, she defeated American Bernarda Pera 7–5, 6–2, showcasing strong baseline play on the clay courts. Burel's run continued into the third round, where she faced No. 4 seed Sofia Kenin of the United States. Despite a competitive first set, Burel lost 6–3, 6–3 after 1 hour and 29 minutes, ending her debut campaign. This performance propelled her ranking to a career-high No. 140 by October 2020 and earned her €93,240 in prize money. Outside the French Open, Burel reached the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 event in Saint-Malo in September, losing to compatriot Fiona Ferro, and the semifinals of the ITF $25k in Cherbourg in October.2021: First WTA Tour final and Wimbledon debut
Burel's 2021 season marked a breakthrough on the WTA Tour, highlighted by her first appearance at a Grand Slam main draw and her inaugural final at the WTA level. Following a strong showing at the Australian Open where she qualified but fell in the first round, she continued building momentum on clay courts in Europe. At the Open 6ème Sens Métropole de Lyon, Burel advanced to the quarterfinals for her best result at a WTA 250 event up to that point, defeating compatriot and fifth seed Alizé Cornet in a three-set second-round match before losing to Fiona Ferro 2–6, 6–1, 6–3.[26] In June, Burel made her Wimbledon debut after successfully navigating the qualifying rounds, defeating Storm Sanders in the final qualifying match 4–6, 6–3, 7–5. In the main draw, she secured her first Grand Slam victory by beating Australia's Ellen Perez 6–2, 6–2 in the first round, showcasing solid baseline play and serve efficiency on grass. Her run ended in the second round against qualifier Sonay Kartal of Great Britain, who won 4–6, 7–5, 6–2 after a competitive battle where Burel struggled with unforced errors in the deciding set. This performance marked one of three second-round appearances Burel achieved that year, demonstrating her adaptability across surfaces.[27] The pinnacle of Burel's 2021 campaign came at the Ladies Open Lausanne on clay, where the then-20-year-old reached her maiden WTA Tour final as a direct entry ranked outside the top 100. She opened with a straight-sets win over Maryna Zanevska 6–3, 6–4, followed by a comeback victory against Kamilla Rakhimova in the round of 16 (1–6, 6–3, 6–3). In the quarterfinals, Burel upset seventh seed Fiona Ferro 6–3, 6–4, capitalizing on her opponent's inconsistent serving. The semifinals featured an all-French affair, where she rallied from a set down to defeat Caroline Garcia 5–7, 6–2, 6–2, breaking serve decisively in the later sets to secure her spot in the final. Facing top seed Tamara Zidanšek, Burel started strongly, winning the first set 6–4 after racing to a 4–0 lead powered by aggressive groundstrokes. However, Zidanšek mounted a comeback, forcing a tiebreak in the second set (which she won 7–5) and dominating the third 6–1 in just over two hours, handing Burel her first final loss 4–6, 7–6(5), 6–1. This runner-up finish propelled Burel into the WTA top 100 for the first time and contributed significantly to her career-high year-end ranking of No. 77.[28][29]2022: Entry into top 75, first WTA 1000 win, and US Open third round
Burel entered the top 75 of the WTA singles rankings for the first time in February 2022, achieving a career-high of No. 74 on February 21 following solid performances in the Australian swing, including a first-round loss to Garbiñe Muguruza at the Australian Open.[30] Her breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level came at the Miami Open in March, where she qualified for the main draw and secured her first victory at the tournament level by defeating fellow qualifier Magdalena Fręch 6-3, 7-5 in the first round. In the second round, Burel pushed No. 28 seed Petra Kvitová to three sets before falling 1-6, 6-3, 3-6. Burel's most notable achievement of the year was her run to the third round at the US Open in August-September, where she entered as a qualifier ranked No. 131.[30] In the first round, she produced a major upset by defeating No. 25 seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-4, marking her first main-draw Grand Slam win against a top-30 opponent.[31] She followed this with a three-set victory over Alison Van Uytvanck 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round.[32] Burel's campaign ended in the third round against No. 6 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who won 6-0, 6-2, but the run elevated her ranking to a season-high of No. 51 later in the year.[7]2023: Maiden WTA 125 title
Burel entered the 2023 Open Angers Arena Loire as the second seed, riding momentum from a semifinal appearance at the WTA 125 event in Monastir the previous month and a runner-up finish at the WTA 250 in Lausanne earlier in the year.[1] She began her campaign in the first round by defeating compatriot Elsa Jacquemot 6-4, 6-4, showcasing solid baseline play and effective serving to advance without dropping a set.[33] In the second round, she continued her straight-sets form, overcoming Germany's Mona Barthel 6-2, 7-6(5) in a match that tested her tiebreak composure under pressure.[34] The quarterfinals marked the start of a grueling stretch, as Burel edged out Russia's Erika Andreeva 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 in a three-set battle that highlighted her resilience after losing momentum in the second set.[35] She followed this with another comeback victory in the semifinals against Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska, rallying from a first-set tiebreak loss to win 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2 by improving her return game and varying her shot selection to disrupt her opponent's aggressive style.[36] These wins propelled her to her first all-French final at this level, setting up a highly anticipated clash with qualifier Chloé Paquet. In the final on December 10, Burel trailed 1-6 in sets and 1-3 in the second after dropping eight of the first ten games, struggling initially with unforced errors and Paquet's flat groundstrokes on the indoor hard courts.[35] However, she mounted a decisive turnaround, winning eight consecutive games through sharper backhand slices, effective drop shots, and heightened net approaches to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory and claim her maiden WTA 125 title.[35] This triumph, her first professional singles title overall, elevated her ranking to a career-high No. 60 and underscored her growing maturity in high-stakes matches late in the season.[35]2024: Three WTA quarterfinals and first top-10 win
Burel began her 2024 season strongly at the Australian Open, where she secured her first career victory over a top-10 player by defeating fifth seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2 in the second round.[37] This upset propelled her to the third round for the first time at the event, before she fell to compatriot Océane Dodin 6-2, 6-4.[1] In February, Burel reached her first quarterfinal of the year at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, a WTA 500 event on indoor hard courts, after victories over Sinja Kraus in the first round (6-1, 6-4) and Katerina Siniakova in the second round (6-3, 5-7, 6-4).[38][39] She was defeated in the quarterfinals by third seed Donna Vekić 6-0, 7-6(3).[40] Burel continued her progress on clay at the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May, another WTA 500 tournament, where she advanced to the quarterfinals with a notable three-set comeback win over former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 in the second round.[1] Her run ended against third seed Danielle Collins, who won 6-1, 6-3.[41] Later in August, at the Tennis in the Land in Cleveland, a WTA 250 on outdoor hard courts, Burel notched her third quarterfinal of the season by overcoming eighth seed Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-3 in the round of 16.[42] She was then ousted by top seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 6-2.[1] These consistent deep runs contributed to Burel achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 42 in June.[1]2025: WTA 125 semifinal and Billie Jean King Cup participation
In March 2025, following a three-month injury layoff, Burel competed at the WTA 125 Megasaray Hotels Open in Antalya, Turkey, where she advanced to the semifinals for the first time at this level that year.[43] She defeated qualifiers and seeded players en route, showcasing improved consistency on clay courts despite a recent dip in rankings. In the semifinal against sixth seed Anca Alexia Todoni, Burel took the first set 6-2 but retired at 3-2 in the second set due to a back injury, marking an abrupt end to her tournament run.[44] Following a brief recovery, Burel represented France in the Billie Jean King Cup Group I Europe/Africa event held from April 7 to 12 in Vilnius, Lithuania. On April 8, she secured a straight-sets victory over Sweden's Nellie Taraba Wallberg, 6-2, 7-5, contributing to France's early momentum in the round-robin format. However, in the decisive match against Turkey on April 9, Burel suffered a severe knee injury after a dramatic fall while leading Ayla Aksu 4-1 in the first set, forcing her to retire and sidelining her for the remainder of the tie. France ultimately lost the group stage matchup, which impacted their qualification prospects.[45] The knee injury sustained during the Billie Jean King Cup was later diagnosed as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee, leading to Burel's withdrawal from subsequent tournaments and effectively concluding her 2025 season by mid-April.[46] This participation highlighted her commitment to national team duties amid personal challenges, though it came at the cost of further competitive opportunities.[2]Playing style
Technical attributes
Clara Burel is a right-handed player with a two-handed backhand, standing at 5 feet 9 inches (1.76 m) tall, which contributes to her solid baseline presence and reach on court.[47][1] Her preferred surface is hard courts, where her consistent groundstrokes allow her to construct points methodically.[1] Burel's technical attributes emphasize defensive resilience and precision, earning her the nickname "araignée" (spider) for her ability to "tricoter" (knit) rallies by keeping the ball in play, outlasting opponents, and forcing unforced errors through mental tenacity and strategic placement.[48] Her forehand, her self-identified favorite shot, serves as a reliable weapon for redirecting pace and creating angles from the baseline, often highlighted in key winners during high-pressure matches.[1] While her backhand provides stability in extended exchanges, her overall game relies on athletic movement and court coverage to retrieve difficult shots, enabling her to disrupt aggressive opponents' rhythms.[49] This approach allows transitions from defense to offense, as seen in her 2024 Australian Open upset over Jessica Pegula, where Burel's focused consistency limited errors and capitalized on defensive play.[37]Strengths and weaknesses
Clara Burel is recognized for her baseline playing style, characterized by powerful groundstrokes that allow her to dictate rallies from the back of the court when opportunities arise.[49] Her forehand stands out as her favorite and most potent weapon, enabling her to generate significant pace and depth to overpower opponents.[1] This shot, combined with a solid two-handed backhand, forms the foundation of her game; she has secured multiple ITF titles on clay.[2] Additionally, Burel's athleticism and excellent court coverage contribute to her defensive resilience, allowing her to retrieve difficult balls and extend points while maintaining consistency in longer exchanges.[50] Burel also demonstrates strong tactical acumen, often mixing up the pace and spin of her shots to disrupt opponents' rhythms and create openings.[50] Her competitive spirit is evident in high-pressure situations, as seen in her ability to stage comebacks, such as her 2024 US Open first-round victory over Sloane Stephens after dropping the opening set.[51] These attributes have helped her reach career milestones, including a peak WTA ranking of No. 42 in June 2024.[1] Despite her strengths, Burel's serve remains a notable area for improvement, with career tour-level statistics showing a first-serve percentage of 55.8%, below the typical elite average of 60-65%.[47] Her second-serve effectiveness is particularly vulnerable, winning only 42.6% of points on second delivery, which often leads to defensive starts in service games.[47] This is compounded by a higher-than-average double-fault rate of 7.1% per match, contributing to occasional lapses in momentum during key moments.[47] While her overall consistency has improved with experience, Burel can sometimes struggle to sustain aggression against top-tier returners, as evidenced by tight losses in WTA 1000 events.[50]Personal life
Relationships and coaching
Clara Burel maintains a private personal life but has been in a relationship with Victor Prézelin, a 29-year-old professional padel player and former tennis player, since at least 2023. Prézelin, who previously managed the Angers TC club and holds a top ranking in French padel (3/6 as of 2024), often travels with Burel to support her during tournaments, adjusting his own schedule to accommodate her professional commitments. The couple keeps their relationship low-profile, with no public social media posts or appearances confirming their partnership.[52][53] Burel's coaching team has evolved over her career to support her development as a professional player. She began working with Alexia Dechaume, a former top-100 player, in the summer of 2019, focusing on technical and strategic improvements during her transition to the WTA Tour. She has also collaborated with Thierry Champion, a respected French coach known for mentoring emerging talents. In early 2024, after a period without a dedicated traveling coach, Burel started a partnership with Tatiana Golovin, a retired former world No. 12, beginning at the Miami Open in March; Golovin provided guidance on mental aspects and match preparation, traveling with her to select events. Currently, Victor Prézelin serves as her primary coach, leveraging his background in tennis and padel to assist with on-court training and tournament logistics.[1][52]Interests outside tennis
Clara Burel maintains a balanced lifestyle outside of tennis, prioritizing activities that allow her to unwind and connect with loved ones. One of her primary hobbies is listening to music across various genres, which she has cited as a way to relax amid her demanding schedule.[1] Spending quality time with family and friends forms another central interest for Burel, helping her stay grounded. She frequently returns to her hometown of Rennes, France, where she was born on March 24, 2001, to be with her parents, Vincent and Stephanie, as well as her two sisters, Lola and Jade. This family-oriented approach underscores her emphasis on personal relationships beyond the court.[1][9]Career statistics
Performance timelines
Clara Burel's performance timelines detail her results in the four Grand Slam tournaments, the Olympic Games, and the Billie Jean King Cup across her professional career. These records reflect her progression from junior standout to WTA Tour competitor, with notable achievements including third-round appearances at three Grand Slams.[27]Singles
| Tournament | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | 1R | A | 1R | 1R | 2R | 3R | A |
| French Open | Q2 | 3R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | A |
| Wimbledon | A | NH | 2R | 1R | A | 2R | A |
| US Open | A | A | 1R | 3R | 3R | 2R | A |
| Olympics | NH | NH | NH | NH | NH | 2R | NH |
| WTA Finals | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Billie Jean King Cup | PO | PO | 1R | PO | PO | SF | RR (1-0, 1 ret.) |
Doubles
| Tournament | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| French Open | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Wimbledon | A | NH | A | A | A | A | A |
| US Open | A | A | A | A | 1R | A | A |
| Olympics | NH | NH | NH | NH | NH | 1R | NH |
| WTA Finals | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Billie Jean King Cup | PO | PO | 1R | PO | PO | SF | RR |
Singles
Burel has competed professionally in singles since 2016, accumulating a career record of 184 wins and 135 losses across the WTA Tour, WTA Challenger Tour, and ITF Circuit as of November 17, 2025.[57] Her overall win percentage stands at approximately 58%. She has secured four ITF singles titles and one WTA 125 singles title, with no main-draw WTA Tour titles to date.[1] These victories include the 2020 W25 Grenoble, the 2021 W60 Saint-Gaudens, the 2021 W25+H Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, and the 2023 W60 Montpellier on the ITF Circuit, alongside the 2023 WTA 125 Angers.[1] Her career prize money in singles exceeds $2.5 million USD.[58] On surfaces, Burel holds her strongest record on indoor hard courts with 46 wins and 23 losses (67% win rate), followed by clay (80-63, 56%) and outdoor hard (49-40, 55%). Her performance on grass is more limited, with 6 wins and 7 losses (46%).[57] She reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 42 on June 10, 2024, after a strong clay-court season that included quarterfinal appearances at WTA events in Strasbourg and Nuremberg.[55] Burel has also posted notable results against top players, including her first top-10 win over Barbora Krejčíková (then ranked No. 10) at the 2024 Miami Open.[1] In 2025, Burel reached the semifinals of the WTA 125 Antalya Open, defeating Chloé Paquet in the quarterfinals before retiring injured, contributing to her year-to-date record of 3-1 as of November 17, 2025. She also participated in the Billie Jean King Cup, going 1-0 with one retirement in the round robin.[59][5] The following table summarizes her yearly singles win-loss records (including WTA, WTA 125, ITF, and Billie Jean King Cup matches):| Year | Wins-Losses | Win % | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 0-1 | 0% | 0 |
| 2016 | 5-4 | 56% | 0 |
| 2017 | 3-2 | 60% | 0 |
| 2018 | 16-10 | 62% | 0 |
| 2019 | 5-5 | 50% | 0 |
| 2020 | 22-15 | 59% | 1 |
| 2021 | 43-20 | 68% | 2 |
| 2022 | 24-29 | 45% | 0 |
| 2023 | 38-18 | 68% | 2 |
| 2024 | 25-30 | 45% | 0 |
| 2025 | 3-1 | 75% | 0 |
| Career | 184-135 | 58% | 5 |
Doubles
Burel has competed sparingly in professional doubles, primarily focusing on her singles career, and has yet to win a title at the WTA, WTA Challenger, or ITF level. Her overall doubles win-loss record is 9–28 as of November 17, 2025, with a career-high ranking of world No. 246 achieved on May 9, 2022.[55] Her most notable doubles result came in 2024 at the Nottingham Open, where she partnered with Camila Osorio Serrano to reach the semifinals; they defeated Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6–3, 6–2 in the round of 16 before falling to Harriet Dart and Diane Parry. Earlier that year, Burel teamed with Varvara Gracheva to represent France in women's doubles at the Paris Olympics, losing in the first round to Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Fernandez 6–1, 7–5. She has appeared in Grand Slam doubles once, at the 2023 US Open with Diane Parry, exiting in the first round against Elina Avanesyan and Kamilla Rakhimova 7–5, 4–6, 6–2. Burel's doubles activity has been concentrated on clay and hard courts early in her career, with occasional grass appearances yielding her only win-loss positive surface record (1–0 on grass as of November 2025).[56]WTA Tour finals
Singles
Burel has reached two singles finals on the WTA Tour, both at the Ladies Open Lausanne on clay, where she finished as runner-up on each occasion.[1] She has not competed in any WTA Tour doubles finals.[1]| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 2021 | Ladies Open Lausanne | Clay | Tamara Zidanšek | 4–6, 7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup>, 1–6 |
| Runner-up | 2023 | Ladies Open Lausanne | Clay | Elisabetta Cocciaretto | 5–7, 6–4, 4–6[60] |
WTA Challenger and ITF Circuit finals
Singles
Clara Burel has competed in seven singles finals on the WTA Challenger Tour and ITF Circuit, securing five titles across various surfaces and levels. Her successes include one WTA 125 event and four ITF tournaments, with her debut professional final occurring in 2018. These results highlight her early breakthrough as a junior transitioning to the professional ranks, particularly on indoor hard courts and clay.[1]| Result | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Sep 2018 | W25 Clermont-Ferrand, France | Hard (i) | Lesley Kerkhove | 3–6, 6–4, 4–6[61] |
| Loss | Oct 2019 | W15 Monastir, Tunisia | Hard | Carole Monnet | 2–6, 0–6[62] |
| Win | Feb 2020 | W25 Grenoble, France | Hard (i) | Vitalia Diatchenko | 5–7, 7–5, 6–2 |
| Win | May 2021 | W60 Saint-Gaudens, France | Clay | Alexandra Dulgheru | 6–2, 1–6, 6–2[63] |
| Win | Oct 2021 | W25+H Cherbourg, France | Hard (i) | Émeline Dartron | 6–4, 6–2[64] |
| Win | Jul 2023 | W60 Montpellier, France | Clay | Astra Sharma | 6–3, 7–5[65] |
| Win | Dec 2023 | WTA 125 Angers, France | Hard (i) | Chloé Paquet | 3–6, 6–4, 6–2[35] |
Junior Grand Slam finals
Singles
Clara Burel reached the girls' singles final at two junior Grand Slam tournaments during her career, both in 2018, finishing as runner-up on each occasion. These results contributed to her ascent to the world No. 1 junior ranking later that year.[1] At the 2018 Australian Open, the unseeded Burel advanced to the final after defeating top seed Wang Xinyu in the semifinals. She faced second seed Liang En-shuo on hard courts and lost in straight sets, 3–6, 4–6.[22] Burel's second Grand Slam final came at the 2018 US Open, where she was seeded 11th. In the championship match on hard courts, she fell to third seed Wang Xiyu, 6–7<sup>(4–7)</sup>, 2–6, inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.[66]| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 2018 | Australian Open | Hard | Liang En-shuo | 3–6, 4–6 |
| Runner-up | 2018 | US Open | Hard | Wang Xiyu | 6–7<sup>(4–7)</sup>, 2–6 |
Head-to-head records
Clara Burel has encountered several opponents multiple times on the WTA Tour and Challenger circuits, forging notable rivalries that highlight her competitive edge on clay and hard courts. Her head-to-head records reflect a mix of successes against compatriots and challenges against established players.| Opponent | Record (Burel W–L) | Notable Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Coco Gauff (USA) | 0–2 | 2024 BNP Paribas Open (R2, hard): lost 2–6, 6–3, 7–6(4) 2024 China Open (R2, hard): lost 5–7, 3–6 |
| Diane Parry (FRA) | 2–0 | 2023 Ladies Open Lausanne (SF, clay): won 4–6, 7–6(2), 6–3 2022 Mutua Madrid Open (R1, clay): won 6–3, 6–4[67] |
| Chloe Paquet (FRA) | 2–0 | 2025 Antalya Open (QF, clay): won 6–2, 6–4[47] 2023 Open Angers (F, hard i.): won 3–6, 6–4, 6–2[47] |
| Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) | 1–3 | 2023 Tennis in the Land (Q3, hard): won 6–3, 4–6, 6–1[68] 2023 Roland Garros (R1, clay): lost 4–6, 6–7(7))[69] |
| Marina Bassols Ribera (ESP) | 1–1 | 2024 Jasmin Open Monastir (R1, hard): won 6–2, 6–1 2024 Rouen Challenger (R1, clay): lost 4–6, 3–6[70] |
Record against top 10 players
Burel has faced players ranked in the top 10 of the WTA singles rankings on seven occasions as of November 17, 2025, compiling a record of 1 win and 6 losses. Her breakthrough victory arrived in the second round of the 2024 Australian Open, where she defeated fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula 6–4, 6–2 on hard courts in Melbourne, marking her first career win against a top-10 opponent.[71] Prior to this, Burel had endured four straight defeats against top-10 foes, beginning with a first-round loss to Ons Jabeur (ranked No. 10) at the 2021 National Bank Open in Montreal, falling 6–1, 6–3 on hard courts.[72] The following year, she met two more top seeds in Grand Slam opening rounds: a 6–3, 6–4 defeat to third-seeded Garbiñe Muguruza at the 2022 Australian Open on hard courts in Melbourne, and a 6–2, 6–3 loss to fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari at the 2022 French Open on clay in Paris.[73][74] In 2023, Burel reached the third round of the US Open for the first time but was overwhelmed 6–1, 6–1 by second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka on hard courts in New York.[75] After her win over Pegula, Burel faced Coco Gauff twice in 2024. She lost in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, 2–6, 6–3, 7–6(4), to the third-ranked American on hard courts, despite leading 5–2 in the deciding set.[76] Later that year, in the second round of the China Open in Beijing, Gauff (ranked No. 4) prevailed 7–5, 6–3 on hard courts.[77]| Outcome | Score | Opponent (Rank) | Tournament | Round | Surface | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1–6, 3–6 | Ons Jabeur (10) | National Bank Open, Montreal | 2R | Hard | 2021 |
| Loss | 3–6, 4–6 | Garbiñe Muguruza (3) | Australian Open, Melbourne | 1R | Hard | 2022 |
| Loss | 2–6, 3–6 | Maria Sakkari (4) | French Open, Paris | 1R | Clay | 2022 |
| Loss | 1–6, 1–6 | Aryna Sabalenka (2) | US Open, New York | 3R | Hard | 2023 |
| Win | 6–4, 6–2 | Jessica Pegula (5) | Australian Open, Melbourne | 2R | Hard | 2024 |
| Loss | 6–2, 3–6, 6–7(4) | Coco Gauff (3) | BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells | 2R | Hard | 2024 |
| Loss | 5–7, 3–6 | Coco Gauff (4) | China Open, Beijing | 2R | Hard | 2024 |